The Triggers and the Lies We Tell Ourselves
It happened again.
It was the day before a Moxie Life Vision Experience and I was checking in with a woman I will be creating photographs for to tell the visual story of her Moxie Life Vision as a specialty health coach.
The words she used were “dread,” “ugh,” “struggle,” “me,” “confusion,” and “spotlight.”
We had spoken previously about why she doesn’t like her photos created, yet she is confident in her identity, her calling, and how she sees herself in the mirror.
But when I asked how she was feeling, she just said, “ugh, I don’t like being in the spotlight.”
I asked if she presented her live programs from inside a cave, behind a veil, or in the dark?
Knowing, of course, she doesn’t.
There are a few factors that often come into play-
- We were taught not to draw attention to ourselves because that’s showing off.
- We know we shouldn’t be prideful by bragging or holding ourselves in high regard.
- The words we use in our daily lives and, more so, self-talk, often hold negative meanings in our hearts for a variety of reasons (and the enemy loves that).
I explained how the experience we had planned wasn’t about her but instead, it’s about setting the stage for the Spirit to help her tell the story of her calling through her photographs.
This project is meant to help her live out her calling by serving those who would benefit from her God-given skills.
This perspective is neither prideful nor is it drawing prideful attention to her in a show-off way.
It’s sharing.
She’s passionate about what she does and why, and she should be! She has answered God’s call with her training and passion to come to this point; seen the fruits of her work through those she has helped.
That’s God’s nod to sharing that gift and passion because it glorifies him!
Recently, I realized how the words I use or think negatively affect me and how I shine – or not.
The word “Obstacle” is one negative trigger for me.
By being asked, “What obstacles/challenges are you currently facing?”
Has triggered me on several occasions, (and the enemy loves that) first to think sarcastically, “haha, oh, where do I even begin!” I would reflect on the previous week and only think of the unfinished to-do’s and projects, then my unmet life dreams… Never considering what I did do!
It was a downhill spiral; the enemy had me where he wanted me. Alone and sad.
My day and mood were ruined.
I’d be in tears thinking about how “everyone else” was doing their thing successfully and finally seeing myself only as a stuck, hopeless loser kidding herself with crazy dreams and having nothing worthwhile to add to humanity.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) explains how we can change our thinking:
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Capturing those thoughts, and changing out the negative words for different ones, makes ALL the difference in our perception and takes away the enemy’s foothold in our thoughts.
Now, I answer the question, “Are there any challenges you would like to work on this week?” instead.
A simple change of words allows my thoughts to be positive, even determined, by not focusing on finding an obstacle but rather, a temporary challenge; and that’s when my Moxie and determination awakens – I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, right?
I see the word “challenge” as something for me to take on and conquer; an “obstacle” feels like it could be an insurmountable barrier. I feel God will challenge and stretch me, where the enemy is behind an obstacle hoping to stop me. To me, one is encouraging and the other defeating.
So, I challenged my client to capture her thoughts and see this opportunity through God’s eyes – as a way He can share what she is gifted to do and be excited about her Experience. Not dread it. It’s a Spirit-led opportunity to showcase the Life Vision God planted in her to share and be seen and that glorifies Him!
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
What Life Vision has God planted in you? – are negative, self-centered thoughts causing you to hold back and keep your calling from being seen by hiding it under a bowl?
What words trigger negative thoughts and outlooks for you? Is it time to take those thoughts captive and be seen and shine in the calling God has for you?
Let’s talk about what challenges may be keeping you from shining – schedule your free Life Vision discovery call today.